Completion deadlines and graduation for Ph.D. students
Spring/Summer 2024
| Requirement | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Degree applications filed | Friday, May 31, 2024 |
| Manuscript submitted to the Graduate School for Format Check | Two weeks prior to scheduled defense |
| Final Defense Report and Conflict of Interest with all signatures and one copy of a public announcements submitted to the Graduate School | Two weeks prior to scheduled defense |
| Last day to defend | Friday, July 19, 2024 |
| Final Graduate School requirements: | Friday, August 16, 2024 |
| Fill out and submit permissions form to archive and disseminate published thesis with Wayne State University Library System. | After completing the format check |
Fall 2024
| Requirement | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Degree applications filed | Friday, September 27, 2024 |
| Manuscript submitted to the Graduate School for Format Check | Two weeks prior to scheduled defense |
| Final Defense Report and Conflict of Interest with all signatures and one copy of a public announcements submitted to the Graduate School | Two weeks prior to scheduled defense |
| Last day to defend | Friday, October 18, 2024 |
| Final Graduate School requirements: | Friday, November 1, 2024 |
| Fill out and submit permissions form to archive and disseminate published thesis with Wayne State University Library System. | After completing the format check |
Winter 2025
| Requirement | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Degree applications filed | Friday, February 7, 2025 |
| Manuscript submitted to the Graduate School for Format Check | Two weeks prior to scheduled defense |
| Final Defense Report and Conflict of Interest with all signatures and one copy of a public announcements submitted to the Graduate School | Two weeks prior to scheduled defense |
| Last day to defend | Friday, March 21, 2025 |
| Final Graduate School requirements: | Friday, April 4, 2025 |
| Fill out and submit permissions form to archive and disseminate published thesis with Wayne State University Library System. | After completing the format check |
Spring/Summer 2025
| Requirement | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Degree applications filed | Friday, May 30, 2025 |
| Manuscript submitted to the Graduate School for Format Check | Two weeks prior to scheduled defense |
| Final Defense Report and Conflict of Interest with all signatures and one copy of a public announcements submitted to the Graduate School | Two weeks prior to scheduled defense |
| Last day to defend | Friday, July 18, 2025 |
| Final Graduate School requirements: | Friday, August 15, 2025 |
| Fill out and submit permissions form to archive and disseminate published thesis with Wayne State University Library System. | After completing the format check |
Graduation
Wayne State University confers degrees for fall, winter and spring/summer terms and honors its graduates by hosting commencement ceremonies in December and May. Recipients of graduate certificates comprised of 30 or more credits may also participate in the December ceremony. Each graduate will be allocated four tickets for the December ceremony.
Detailed information about applying for the degree and commencement procedures is available on the commencement website.
Degree application
Degree applications are available via Academica on the Student tab, Student Self Service menu.
Application deadline
The deadline for applying is the Friday of the fourth week of class in the semester in which graduation is anticipated.
Caps, gowns, and tickets
Information concerning Commencement announcements, caps and gowns, tickets, and other relevant information will be mailed to the degree candidate by the Commencement Office prior to the event.
Attendance at the ceremony
Diplomas will be mailed to all advanced degree candidates whether or not they attend the ceremonies.
Questions? Contact the Ph.D. Office. Phone: 313-577-2170 | phdstudents@wayne.edu.